:n-the-m:x | November 2023 | blueingreenradio.com

Welcome to our monthly mix series with each episode spotlighting 10 tracks that we were particularly excited about across various shows on Blue-in-Green:RADIO. This month showcases a selection providing a 50 minute excursion from uplifting afrobeat to sublime future soul to eclectic left-field jazz.

Music this month comes courtesy of...

'Bhimpalasi' by Alpacas Collective (Catalpas Records)

'Pistachio' by Archie the Goldfish (Funkiwala Records)

'What You Want' by Summer Pearl (Kitto Records)

'Rainbow' by As Valet & So-Li featuring J.McFysian

'Canopy' by Mick Destitute (Folded Music)

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' [Eric Kupper Remix] by Jaidene Veda

'Temptation' [Mark de Clive-Lowe Remix] by Charlie Parker

'3301' by Cykada (Astigmatic Records)

'Crazy DNA' by Benjamin Samuels (Bridge the Gap)

'Reviving Blast' by Irina Pavlovic (A.MA Records)

:n-the-m:x is exclusive to our Mixcloud channel so be sure to check back at the end of every month for future round-ups.

'Metamorphosis' by Cykada

'Metamorphosis' marks the incredibly welcome return of the dynamic London-based collective, Cykada, who unveil their sophomore album release following a four-year absence.

In an album that still shines bright amongst the glittering catalogue of Astigmatic Records, Cykada's self-titled debut (2019) showcased the band's innovative and bursting-at-the-seams energy, both boisterous and engaging, the project revelled in these unpredictable sonic soundscapes that presented a thoroughly engaging depiction of contemporary jazz.

But like most best laid plans, life subsequently got in the way.  And while the worldwide pandemic ultimately ground production on a follow-up release to a halt, inadvertently, this period of uncertainty and chaos, would go on to lead to even more periods of uncertainty and chaos... the continual threat of war that looms over us and challenges that have sought to divide us politically, racially and environmentally.

These very depictions of our times are what Cykada have employed as the catalyst for 'Metamorphosis'.  The album is far from a depiction of defeat, or even a beacon of hope, but more so an objective acknowledgement that times and society have had to change and we as a society have had to adapt to these changes accordingly.

The phenomenal super group continues to be made up of outstanding musicians who have served as key contributors to the UK's thriving jazz scene for years.  Jamie Benzies - of Don Kipper and Mimika Orchestra - is credited here for bass and the curious title of project "visionary"; there's saxophonist James Mollison of the Ezra Collective and frequent Joe Armon-Jones collaborator; Tim Doyle from the brilliant spiritual jazz collective Maisha returns here for drumming duties; band leader for the Levitation Orchestra, Axel Kaner-Lindstrom, features on trumpet; Tilé Gichigi Lipere provides the otherworldly electronics here much like he did masterfully on Mimika Orchestra’s 'Divinities Of The Earth'; guitarist Javi Pérez's unique style also weighs heavily here and I’d advise checking his previous work as a part of Stonetape's 'Wintermute' album.  And despite already showcasing a packed line-up, for 'Metamorphosis', the group induct multi-instrumentalist Rob Milne into the fold who is credited for saxophone, clarinet and flute.

Perhaps it's the inclusion of Milne, the arduous subject matter or perhaps it's simply the band's desire to simply not make the same record twice, but what Cykada have put forward here is a complete reinvention of their sound which sees them embrace almost more harder-edged, rock influences while still side-stepping any definitive tags or descriptions someone with a pen might try to impose.  

The explosiveness of 'Fallacy', the anger in 'So Divided' and the sheer urgency of 'Ashen Faun' convey the difficulty of our metamorphosis in this societal context before the album's closing number 'Last Throes of the Temporal Monolith' sees us bid farewell to what we knew and walk towards our uncertain future.

'The Soulful Heritage' by Irina Pavlovic

There's something fairly satisfying about the release of Irina Pavlovic's debut album, 'The Soulful Heritage', which finds its suitable home on Italy's A.MA Records.

An afternoon spent on Pavlovic's YouTube channel provides fascinating insight into an incredible musician who presents such care and dedication to her music that it was always just a matter of time before recognition on a grander scale would present itself.

With videos dating back nearly ten years, viewers/listeners will be treated to a delectable selection of live performances boasting quintet arrangements, covers, a full choir and Zoom-based collaborations, seemingly carried out at a time when live performances and social interactions in general were relegated to behind screens.  It's an impassioned chronicle of a burgeoning master of her craft and amongst the excellent videos available there is an enchanting solo recording of eventual album track 'We Had a Dream' which is just sublime.  Her exquisite playing and elegance in doing so really captures what makes 'The Soulful Heritage' such a passion project for A.MA.

Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Pavlovic was initially drawn to the flute before incorporating the piano as the chief instrument within her arsenal.  Despite only now releasing her debut solo effort, Pavlovic has enjoyed a thriving music career for some years - having chalked up collaborations with the BluesTone Band, Frantissek Urlih and Joris Dudli, Pavlovic's musical adventures have further seen her grace stages across Europe including Austria, Germany, Romania and Switzerland.

The news of Pavlovic's 'Soulful Heritage' should undoubtedly be met with great excitement and when considering her invaluable contributions to Serbian jazz over the years, it's probably fair to say the progression to the spotlight of centre stage is wholly warranted and certainly due.  Along with Pavlovic's beautiful performance throughout the album, 'The Soulful Heritage' further benefits from the performances of A.MA Records label mate, trumpeter Ivan Radivojevic, saxophonist Rastko Obradovic, Corey Wilcox on trombone, Milan Nikolic on bass and Dusan Nova on drums.

The album's sensational ten tracks seems to burst with ideas and serve as a wonderful collage of styles and inspirations ranging from a quintessential jazz aesthetic to strong Afro-Cuban influences.  The vibrant album opener 'Arriba, Arriba' captures this synergy perfectly with Pavlovic and company just as effective in their ability to exude this dynamic energy as they are with another album highlight in 'Look Above' with its graceful neo-classical make-up brilliantly elevated by a gentle swing.  The release boasts the distinction of featuring US vocalist Dean Bowman whose incredible vocal is gloriously showcased on the album's title track serving as a thrilling testament to their years of musical collaboration.   

'The Soulful Heritage' is a remarkable release.  A really intriguing and fascinating album that stands as a fitting representation of Irina Pavlovic's immeasurable talent, worthy of everything she has poured into her music for years now.

Blue-in-Green:PODCAST #130: Eki Shola

Welcome to Episode #130 of the Blue-in-Green:PODCAST which this week sees Imran connect with the immeasurably talented, Eki Shola.

As a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and composer, Eki has cultivated a strong reputation for her inspired and all-encompassing approach to music-making.  Always revered for her ability to incorporate various genres and styles within her music - from jazz to neo-soul to twinges of electronica - her current, fifth album release '還 (Kaeru)', ushers in an even more ambitious creative scope...

Recorded in Japan alongside a team of musicians, the combination of cultural styles breeds sensational results and provides an incredible new aesthetic to anything we've heard Shola bless previously.  An album that finds itself immersed within the themes of identity and the concept of home, Eki has long proved herself to be an artist that wears her heart on her sleeve, creating impassioned and sincere music as a result.

We were grateful to catch-up with Eki to discuss the new album, recording and touring the release in Japan, the creative process and her family's deep-rooted connections to music.  We'd love to extend a gratious thank you to Eki for her time and for gifting us such a wonderful episode.

To purchase your copy of '還 (Kaeru)', please visit Eki's Bandcamp page below:

https://ekishola.bandcamp.com/album/kaeru

Blue-in-Green Sessions · Blue-in-Green:PODCAST_#130_Eki Shola

'The Gap' by Badge & Talkalot

'The Gap' marks the new album release from Gilberto Caleffi under his long-running music moniker, Badge & Talkalot.

The Italian DJ and producer has long been heralded for his diverse approach when it came to establishing the Badge & Talkalot brand.  Caleffi's full-length efforts to date have served almost as auto-biographical monuments charting his own musical excursions capturing his shifting trends and passions.  

'Greatest Hints', released in 2009 established his decidedly more pop orientated sound amongst like-minded artists for his Still Fizzy record label.  The independent Italian music hub unveiled a series of releases within the pop realms and provided a platform for artists including Elisa Genghini, Piccoli Omicidi and Matteo Toni, introducing Caleffi's distinguished talents as a producer and label head.

An allegiance with Philadelphia's Ropeadope Records would bring Badge & Talkalot to an even wider audience which coincided with a shift musically towards a more up-tempo soul and disco-esque sound via the release of 'Spaghetti Blaster' in 2016.  An album bolstered by a dream line-up of vocalists including Heidi Vogel, Laura Vane and Cecilia Stalin, the album boasted some excellent tracks and found Caleffi's bold reinvention a roaring success and with an aesthetic that carried over to the album's follow-up in 2020.  'Fragments of the Soul' found itself a more confident and more measured record - more versatile in its make-up, the album still showcased soul music at its core but this time perhaps not a record aimed specifically at packing the dance floors and able to introduce both ballads and more grittier-sounding street soul numbers aided in large part by the collaborations with Georgia Anne Muldrow.

The remix EP, 'Refractions', further warrants mention as the sensational contributions from luminaries including Kaidi Tatham, Inkswel, V.B.Kühl and Jack Stone, in their own way, represent the various stages of Caleffi's musical journey to date.  The four interpretations from 'Fragments of the Soul' demonstrate a wide array of styles indicative of the brilliant names enlisted for the project and the calibre of heavyweight DJs and producers that Gilberto Caleffi now finds himself in the conversation with.

Which brings us to new album release, 'The Gap'.  Once again, Caleffi finds himself in the privileged position of again reinventing his sound and his approach and looking to convey his passions through inspired new ways.  Aligning with musicians Andrea Cappi on keyboards and Paolo Zoboli on bass throughout the album, the eight-track release celebrates the glory days of neo-soul with lush compositions and backed by some fantastic vocalists.  

Tru Thoughts recording artist, Steven Bamidele, kicks the project off beautifully with 'To Call My Own' blessing the sublime production with a genuinely flawless vocal.  US rapper Quelle Chris jumps in on 'No Matter How', performing alongside Lojii and Brint Story, and delivering another album highlight; while vocalist JazzZ delivers a standout performance on two of the album's outstanding tracks 'About You' and 'Blue Notes'.

'The Gap' serves as another wonderful release from Gilberto Caleffi, and Badge & Talkalot, cementing his talents as a boundlessly talented producer with an ever-evolving perspective and vision for his music.

New music round-up ::: November 2023

'La Gare' by Andreas Toftemark Quartet Featuring Gerard Presencer

Danish saxophonist Andreas Toftemark unveils his second full-length release for April Records by way of the stunning 'La Gare'.  A deeply personal project that serves as something of an audio scrapbook of life, love and loss for Toftemark charting his adventures from around the world.  Having spent time living and performing in New York, The Netherlands, Denmark and Paris, Toftemark eloquently transcribes his experiences from the captivating night life he's experienced to friendships made and even to the lament of Covid and dealing with the after effects of its impact still felt around the world.  Backed by an incredible selection of musicians including Matthias Petri (bass), Calle Brickman (piano) and Andreas Svendsen (drums) - who make up three of the five musicians for fellow April Records stalwarts and neo-soul inspired OTOOTO - the UK trumpeter Gerard Presencer also makes his presence felt on six of the album's tracks.  'La Gare' delivers as a sensational outing and a thrilling project to demonstrate the vast scope of Toftemark's versatility - to have served as a founding member of the afrobeat-inspired collective A Plane to Catch and then to go on and helm a quartet that pays homage to 60s hard bop is representative of his unwavering talents.  Highlights here are aplenty but we'll cite the album's title track and 'Dagmar' as the showstealers here.

'TT&T Remixed' by Monzanto Sound

We're a little late in heralding the wonderful music of this London-based collective but we're now fully enamoured with the incredible music of Monzanto Sound.  With a stunning concoction of contemporary-jazz-meets-neo-soul, the band's musical melting pot is comprised of so many influences making EP releases to date - 'Time Lapse' (2020) and 'Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow' (2022) - absolute treasures.  Released through the eclectic None More Records (home to Twospeak and Caravela), Monzanto Sound have been afforded the perfect platform to convey their musical message through some genuinely contemporary masterpieces and the release of their latest EP, 'TT&T Remixed', fully embraces musical concepts perhaps just teased up to this point.  The man who can do no wrong at the moment, Dave Okumu, offers up a scintillating and immersive take on 'Eja' from this EP's predecessor while the Waz remix of 'The Letter' delves deeper into the electronic aesthetic.  And then there's the two iterations of 'Monzanto Sound Meets Natty Wylah' which soar as excursions into dub once again cementing the band's ability to veer off into practically any direction they so choose.  Huge thumbs up for Monzanto Sound - buy everything of theirs you can get your hands on!

'Road Trip' by V.B.Kühl

It's hard not to marvel at the fantastic array of recent single releases from the prolific Frankfurt-based DJ and producer, V.B.Kühl.  From 'Duck Rogers' to 'Flight Time', the indelible "V.B.Kühl" stamp can be found adorning the eclectic and dynamic compositions and 'Road Trip' may very well have found a way to raise the bar even higher.  Brilliantly produced with layers of intricate detail weaving into each other, the track boasts elements of dance, house and even traces of gleeful disco in its breakout moments.  A pounding bass and killer groove cement the track once again for the dance floor in V.B.Kühl's inimitable way.  We have previously cited the producer's boundary-less and no rules approach to music that is continually a thrill to see unfold throughout his releases.  The new single serves as an excellent release and a road trip absolutely worth taking. 

'Ephemera Remixes' by Socool

What a year for the incredibly prolific Canadian DJ, producer and vocalist Emily "Socool" Sobool - following the release of her fantastic EP for Bathurst alongside David Hanke (under one of his many guises, Lehto), 'YVR to LBC' presented a sublime and fairly fantastic excursion into downtempo bliss.  Her lush production, only matched by her luxurious vocal on EP track 'Riptide', delivered a brilliant combination for Bathurst which the two will hopefully revisit in time to come.  We were also lucky to pick up the new 'Tropika EP' from DJ Soo - released courtesy of those fine and immeasurably talented folks over at Dragon Trax - and featuring the brilliant Socool remix of the EP's title track resulting in another gem in the Socool catalogue.  The latest release pays homage to Socool's 'Ephemera' album released a year ago and offers up tracks for reinterpretation from an inspired guest list of friends and frequent collaborators including DJ Soo, Cloudland Blue Quartet, Lehto and Edward Spark each delivering some wonderful new dimensions to Socool's originals.  The tracks here are beautifully presented, elegantly compiled and serve as loving extensions to Socool's 'Ephemera' project that absolutely warrants your attention.

'Big Words' by Alpacas Collective

'Big Words' - the second full-length from the Alpacas Collective finds us a mere nineteen months removed from the group's debut release which set the band on their first steps towards their ongoing musical evolution.

'Seven Wisdoms of Plutonia' introduced listeners to the Belgian musical ensemble by way of their ambitious and vast outlook that saw their music rooted amidst a variety of cultures and eras including 60s and 70s Ethiopian styles and compositions, afrobeat and US style funk.  The album's imaginative concept positioned us within the fictional setting of Plutonia as conceived by Russian author Vladimir Obruchev in his 1924 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'-styled novel.  

With the band's sophomore album release having been unveiled so soon after their debut, the Alpacas Collective are on par to solidifying themselves as diverse and shining examples of contemporary afrobeat and funk.  While 'Seven Wisdoms of Plutonia' and now 'Big Words' have revelled within the aforementioned, more focused afrobeat aesthetic, the music and their concepts have always been given enough room to be interpreted within varying styles and genres.  The band's 'Stranger to Myself' remix EP serves as a shining example – released earlier this year, the EP featured the eclectic skill sets of Nyumo and Dr Fre who steered the Alpacas soundscapes into considerably more electronic territory but in ways that continued to make sense to the groundwork the band had already laid. 

As an ongoing concept, 'Big Words' moves the collective on from the fantasy settings and imaginary lands of its predecessor to the more stark and abrasive contexts of our everyday politically corrupt and morally bankrupt world.  The album title, and subsequent title track, even serves as a Fela Kuti-inspired stance about a disillusioned society and the continuing lack of faith within self-serving governments and political systems.  Steered by a rousing vocal from Belgian vocalist and musician, Alain Louie, the charging afrobeat number serves as the centrepiece for the whole album brilliantly conveying its message.

Once again, 'Big Words' succeeds with its versatility - from the album opener 'Gunkali' we're instantly met with a searing sitar performance within the song's first few moments that captures your imagination to glorious effect.  Another excellent vocal contribution comes from Nèg Madnick who guests on 'Movéfèzè' - another track that continues with the notion of deceit, the title translates to "villains" from the Creole usage here and sees Madnick addressing rich landowners and their negative impact on his Caribbean home of La Martinique.

And then there's the epic presentation of 'Bhimpalasi' - clocking in at just under ten minutes, the sensational number serves as its own self-contained adventure with an awesome journey across styles and tempos, and bolstered by fantastic band solos throughout.  A real masterpiece of a track and an absolute gem within the Alpacas treasure chest.

The album delivers as another fantastic outing from the Alpacas Collective and while 'Big Words' may root listeners more within the realistic settings of our everyday worlds over that of the fantasy from their first release, there is no less imagination or passion that has gone into the music as a result. 

'Way Out' by As Valet & So-Li

'Way Out' marks the new collaborative project from producer As Valet and vocalist So-Li who uneil their lush downtempo-inspired independent release.

When considering new projects from As Valet over the last few years, listeners would surely have now come to expect the unexpected.  Following his work with the sensational 90's hip-hop-meets-sublime electronica collective, Electric Conversation, the producer and DJ's solo outings perhaps leant more towards a hip-hop-inspired instrumental aesthetic while 'Inner Journey' (2020) and 'Canne à Sucre' (2022) - both released through the French label A Night on Canopy - marked a notable shift in As Valet's music as compositions that paid homage to his cultural roots in the Caribbean island La Martinique were lovingly introduced subsequently delivering some notably poignant pieces as a result.

Backed by vocalists LaNote and J.McFysian, 'Virgo Stellar' (Futuristica Music, 2021) saw As Valet unapologetically embrace his electronica tendencies with further support from the project's accompanying EP with remixes from Quiet Dawn, Simon S and Daz-I-Kue.

And such has become the pattern - As Valet's ability to effortlessly flit between these various styles has now become the trademark of the versatile and prolific artist and it's a thrill to see these various ideas and concepts take shape through masterful execution.

'Way Out' enlists the indelible talents of the more illusive singer and songwriter, So-Li who sounds incredible over the album's lush lo-fi soundscapes.  Delivering a vocal that elegantly drifts from understated to playful, So-Li's ethereal voice sounds tailor-made for As Valet's sublime production with each artist instinctively understanding how to bring the best out of each other's performances.... which is an aesthetic that carries through to the duo's music video for the single 'Whispers' - a stylish and intimate visual that captures So-Li's mystique beautifully.

'Way Out' further boasts the assistance of long-standing As Valet collaborator, vocalist J.McFysian, who guests on the track 'Rainbow' charmingly trading verses with So-Li and ushering in an engaging chemistry between the two.  And the album holds the additional distinction of being mixed by LaNote who is not too long removed from the release of her own dynamic project this year, 'The Nola Clarks Xprmt' (Laissedoudis Records).

The album represents another excellent project for As Valet and the releases that forge his ever-evolving musical make-up and the album further serves as a thrilling introduction to So-Li whose career we look forward to seeing flourish moving forward.

'Archiefishal Intelligence' by Archie the Goldfish

'Archiefishal Intelligence' marks the new EP release from Archie the Goldfish - the collaborative project headed up by Chris Bestwick and Graeme Flowers.

The collective's new five-track EP sees Archie & company come a long way musically over the last two years or so.  The release of their last EP, 'Water & Light' (2021), presented a series of dynamic tracks that saw their sound effortlessly embrace a wide variety of musical sounds and styles.  With luxurious nods to R&B, neo-soul and jazz, the project was bolstered by the presence of vocalist Nadia Basurto who provided perfect accompaniment across the project and on subsequent standalone singles, 'Begin Again' and 'Heart Wide Open'.

For guitarist Bestwick and trumpeter Flowers, their combined experiences have seen the two perform on stages across the world as part of varied ensembles and collaborations for acts including James Taylor, Down to the Bone, Kyle Eastwood, Timeforsoul and Brand New Heavies.  Archie affords the duo an exciting opportunity to take these accumulated experiences and project their own vision for a delectable contemporary soul-infused aesthetic.

With 'Archiefishal Intelligence', Bestwick & Flowers embrace the opportunity to return Archie to its instrumental roots with five tracks that showcase some wonderful performances which, as described by the group's Bandcamp page, seek to "decorate the melodies in as creative a way as possible".  The project presents a more stripped-down interpretation of songs which sees the Bestwick & Flowers duo helm much of the project along with drummer Bernardo Yacono who collectively present a series of sublime performances.  Spearheaded by the understated single 'Pecan', further gems can be found in the elegantly-paced opener 'Caramel' and the gentle swing of 'Pistachio' and the plush 'Liquorice'.

Music aside, the project as a whole seems to be making a timely statement about the burgeoning influence of AI as it begins its slow permanence into unthinkable facets of the art that we consume.  While the conversation used to revolve around whether AI would ever be able to achieve such creative heights, the conversation nowadays seems to have shifted towards our own individual comfort in consuming art with the notable absence of the human touch.

A futuristic android version of our beloved Archie - as depicted on the project's cover - brilliantly surmises the point and further references what is surely the perceived destination for music's inevitable future.

As a musical unit, Archie the Goldfish pulls together years of knowledge and experience from its contributors - its thoughtful and imaginative vision for music is encapsulated within warm textures, lush performances and exquisite writing.  Whichever side of the fence you find yourself sitting on - whether AI has you excited for an entirely new perspective of music appreciation or whether it has you fearful of losing our own perfect imperfections - it's undeniable that sitting down and appreciating a project like 'Archiefishal Intelligence' in this context will have you set the bar higher for technology's expectations if this is the act they intend to follow.

'Celestial Suite' by Atlantis Jazz Ensemble

The Atlantis Jazz Ensemble mark a wonderful return with their latest full-length release that comes to us an incredible seven years following the group's sensational debut outing.

With 'Oceanic Suite' (2016), the Ensemble established their perception of the spiritual soul-jazz offerings of artists like John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders and McCoy Tyner, delivering a seven-track release that placed the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble on the proverbial map for contemporary jazz brilliance.

A project initially helmed by multi-instrumentalist Pierre Chrétien and saxophonist and flautist Zakari Frantz, the Ensemble and their subsequent debut album were lovingly rooted within the mystique and mythology of Atlantis: the revered and fabled once-utopian society that was subsequently destroyed by the gods as punishment for its people having lost their way.  The Atlantis Jazz Ensemble is a project created to hold true to the city's once revered ideals with 'Oceanic Suite' delivering an exquisite testament to the ambitious nature of Chrétien and Frantz's vision for their music.

With the two artists also serving as collaborators and members of the celebrated Souljazz Orchestra - a group who have amassed an extensive catalogue since 2005 with the vast majority of their releases finding a home on the UK's revered Strut Records - the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble is afforded the freedom to pay homage and express their passions in thrilling new contexts, and with Marlow Records providing an exceptional base for them to do so.  

Last year, we celebrated the release of the fantastic 'Visions' album from the Pierre Chrétien-led Cinephonic collective whose sophomore release resulted in a project steeped within a fantastic cinematic soul soundscape, and we further marvelled at Marlow Records' gritty soul offering from Slim Moore & The Mar-Kays as another shining example of the label's dynamic roster.  Such an incredible array of artists and releases - each wholly different and unique from each other and each presenting inspired projects from their respective fields.

And with the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble set to wave the flag for Marlow Records once more, we see Chrétien's compositions steer the Ensemble from their celebration of the ocean's hidden depths to that of a more divine inspiration with 'Celestial Suite'.

With Chrétien credited for compositions and piano and Frantz for saxophones, the Ensemble quintet is further rounded out by trumpeter Ed Lister, drummer Mike Essoudry and new bassist Chris Pond.  The group's metaphorical new day is captured beautifully with album opener 'Breaking Dawn' which leads the way for a phenomenal series of songs capturing the Ensemble's search for spiritual peace and sanctity.

Much like Atlantis' own fall from grace due to its descent into sin, there's perhaps a parallel to be drawn with our own world which in recent years has seen us still struggling to recover from a worldwide pandemic, face an inconceivable amount of challenges that have sought to divide us politically, racially and environmentally and come to terms with the ongoing threat of war that consistently looms over us.  Perhaps 'Celestial Suite' is the acknowledgement of our own world's imminent and fabled end?  There may be solace however in the teachings of another cherished Greek mythological tale which finds Pandora - after having inadvertently unleashed all the evils of the world into our lives - notices the box's remaining item on which all salvation forever hinges upon... hope.